Concentrating-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. E. WESTLAKE.

GONGENTRATING MACHINE. N0. 328,627. Patented Oct. 20, 1885.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. B. WESTLAKE. OONGENTRATING MAGHINE.

No. 328,627. Patented Oct. 20, 1885.

WITNESSES N PIZYERS Wain-Lithographer. Winhinglon. D. C4

NITED STATES PATENT Prion.

JAMES E. YVESTLAKE, OF ALBUQUERQUE, TERRITORY OF NEWV. MEXICO.

CONCENTRATING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,627, dated October20, 1885.

Application filed March 14, 1885. Serial No. 158,864. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES E. WEsTLAKE, of Albuquerque, county ofBernalillo, and Territory of New Mexico, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Concentrating-Machines, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for separating,concentrating, and collecting gold containedin placers, either with orwithout the use of water; and it consists in a novel-construction ofscreen-cylinder having buckets and feeders; in a novel construction ofpulverizer, and of the sluice, scrapers, and scraper-beam connectedtherewith, and in the means for actuating the latter; in thecombination, with the sluice, ofa settling-tank, water-supply tank, andautomatic feed-water attachment; in the combination, with thesettling-tank, of a spiral amalgamating-plate for the collection offlour gold in its passage through or from said tank,

and in certain details of construction and arrangement of parts,hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of myimproved machine; Fig. 2, a plan view of thesame; Fig. 3, a sectionalview of the screen-cylinder; Fig. 4, a side elevation of the concaveapron, and Fig. 4." a face view of the same; Fig. 5, a side elevation ofone of the scrapers with the spring attached; Fig. '6, a side elevationof the camplate; Fig. 7, a perspective view of a portion of ascraper-beam and parts connected therewith, and Fig. 8 a verticalsection through the settling and water-supply tanks and the spiralamalgamating plates and tubes.

A A represent an upright frame-work, of any suitable construction, tosupport the working parts, hereinafter described, in one end of which issecured a semi-cylindrical tank, B, within which is placed a cylindricalscreen, B, which, when in use, is covered by a semi-cylindrical cover(not shown) similar in form to the tank B,and which, in connection withthe latter, serves to inclose the screen B.

The latter is provided with hollow cylindrical trunnions B B through oneof which, R the placer-earth is fed into the screen, the coarser partsof which, such as will not pass through the screen, are conveyed throughthe latter by means of a spiral internal thread or screw, 1), (see Fig.3,) and pass out through the opposite hollow trunnion, B The trunnions BB rest and rotate upon friction-rollers a a, mounted in suitablebearings on the frame A, and motion is imparted to the cylinder by meansof a pulley or band wheel, 0, and band 0 connecting it with a shaft, 0,which, for the purpose of this description, may constitute the first ormain drivingshaft of the machine, mounted in suitable hearings in theframe, and to which motion may be imparted in any suitablemanner.Thescrcen-cylinderisprovided on its periphery at each end with a spiralthread, I) and 12 one arranged to feed to the right and the other to theleft, and both toward the center of the length of the cylinder, where isarranged a band, I), of metal or other suitable material, to which, atsuitable and regular intervals, a series of buckets, b, are secured,which serve to take up the screened earth carried to them by the spiralsb and!) and to carry the same up over the screen, CllS- charging itthrough an opening in the screencasing upon a concave apron, D, securedto the inner side of the tank B. This apron is shown in section andinner face view in Figs.

4 and 4, and is provided with a series of flat springs, d d, curved inogee shape, as shown in the sectional view, and arranged in transverserows, those in one row, d, breaking joint with or overlying the spacesbetween those of the adjoining row, as shown in the face view, Fig. 4.The lower end of this apron hangs down within the forward or adjacentend of the sluice E, with the springs d d pressing lightly against orresting in close proximity to the surface of a grinding wheel orcylinder, F, mounted in suitable hearings in the frame A, and which,through the arrangement of the apron-springs d d, as described, iscaused to act upon all the material passing over the apron, and therebyto assist in pulverizing the same.

The pan or sluice E is composed of two sides and a bottom plate, thelatter curved upward at its end adjacent to the screen-cylinder tank,and into which the lower end of the concave or apronDprojects, toconform somewhat in shape to the latter and to the grindingcylinder Fdipping therein, as shown. The bottom ofthis sluice-pan is by preferencemade of corrugated sheet metal, as shown ate, and may also beelectro-silver plated to give it an amalgamating action; but this is notessential. The pan or sluice is set at an inclination to the bed-frameof the machine, its rear or discharge end being raised for the two-foldpurpose of getting the resistance of gravity to the onward movement anddischarge of the heavier particles or grains of gold, and also ofraising the bottom of the sluicefor some distance in advance of thepoint of discharge above the water-level in the sluice, (indicated bydotted line at'e,) and thereby causing the latter to flow back andpreventing its escape and waste.

The sluice-pan is suspended in the frame A by means of pendent rods 6 e,two-or more on each side, and secured at their lower ends to cross-bars6 6 on which the sluice-pan rests, the arrangement being suchas to adaptthe pan to swing freely in the frame.

Motion is imparted in a longitudinal direction to the sluice-pan bymeans of eccentrics ff on the shaft fof the grinding-wheel F,

and rods f connecting said eccentrics with the bar 6 as shown, or inother suitable manner, and a lateral reciprocation isimparted to thesluicepan by means of a short crank-arm, f on the shaft f, a pitman, f,extending thence to an arm on a longitudinal rock-shaft, F, mounted insuitable bearings in the frame A, and provided with arms f and f fromwhich connecting rods extend to suitable points of attachment to thesluice-pan. The throw given to the pan E in either direction will beslight, its movement not necessarily exceeding half an inch in alongitudinal direction, and an inch (more or less) in a transversedirection, and the two combined serve to give to each point throughoutits entire surface a gentle movement in an elliptical path, a movementwhich has been found in practice to be very effective in producing aseparation of the lighter andheavier particles of matter contained inthe pan.

Above the pan E are two bars, G, ofangleiron or other suitable material,secured to uprights of the frame or other suitable points of support oneach side of the sluice-pan, and each provided at each end with acamplate or tramway, G. The construction of these plates is shown inFigs 6 and 7, each being provided with a bent or angular rail, g,pivoted at the inner end of its horizontal-upper arm to the plate G,with the foot of its outer inclined end, resting lightly on thehorizontal ledge g of the angle-iron G. Just inside of the pivoted innerend of the rail g is arranged a tilting block or rail, 9', pivoted at ornear its center to the plate G, and with its end adjacent to g upheld bya light spring, 9 the functions of which parts will be explained.Between the bars or rails G are two parallel bars, H H, constitutingwhat I term the scraper-beams, from the fact that the scrapershereinafter described are connected with and operated by them. Thesebars are connected at or near the center of their lengthby a strongcross-bar or shaft, I, and a pitman, 1, extending thence toa crank-wriston a shaft, 0 geared to and operated from the shaft. 0, which serves toimpart a longitudinal reciprocation to the scraper-beams.

In suitable lugs or cars on the bars H are secured two rods ortransverse shafts, h h the ends ofwhich may, ifdesired, be providedwithfriction-rollers and overhang the ledge or rail 9, rolling thereon inthe outward movement of the scraper-beam. As the ends of these rods ortrunnions h pass outward,they lift and pass under the ends of the bentrails g, and the latter dropping down behind them cause the rods h h inthe inward or return movement of the scraperbeam to ride upward,carrying the scraper-beam with them and lifting the scrapers securedthereto up out of and over the material in the sluice. Just at thecompletion of the inward throw of the scraper-beam the ends of the rodsh h pass off from the inner ends of the rails and upon the adjacent endof the tilting rails 9 and the weight of the scraperbeam and scrapersbeing sufficient to overcome the tension of springs the rails g aretilted and permit the scraper-beam to descend and the roller or ends ofrods h to pass easily and lightly therefrom to the ledge g as thescraper-beam starts upon its outward effective throw. are set above andin an inclined-plane parallel with the sluice, and the scrapers are madesomewhat less in width than the latter, to accommodate the lateralvibrations of the sluice and permit the water to escape and flow back atthe sides thereof.

The scrapers k are formed of angle-iron, as indicated, and are securedto spring-holders one at each end, the latter being made in loop or Ushape, and preferably with one or more coils at the bend to giveincreased elasticity to the springs, and are secured to the inner sidesof the bars H by means of a pin at 70 entering the coil, and a secondpin or staple, 7c, securing the end of its upper arm to the beam. Thescrapers are further connected with the beam or side bars, H, by chainsZ, connecting them at each end with hooks or pins on the bars H, saidchains serving to limit the downward movement of the scrapers, while thesprings allow them to yield upward to pass any unusual obstruction intheir path. The scrapers may be adjusted in height by means of thelinked chains Z, which may be lengthened or shortened as desired.

The intermitting action of the scrapers due to the action ofthecam-plates or tramways on the scraper-beam will be readily understood,and is found very effective in practice in permitting the return andwashing action of the water in the sluice upon the slime-or placer earththerein.

The scraper-beam and its supports Upon one side of the sluice and itssupporting-frame is arranged a settling tank, M, when water is to beused, and this is located with reference to the screen-cylinder tank 13and the sluice E, and so connected with them by pipes on and m that thewater may pass freely from one to the other for preserving a uniformwater-level in all. The pipem, connecting the settlingtank and thesluice, should be of flexible material to permit the vibration ofthelatter, as described.

The tank M is shown with a central transverse partition at M dividing itinto two compart ments, connected by a tube, N, open at its ends, and inwhich is placed a spiral plate, N, electro-silver plated to give it anamalgamating surface, adapting it to take up and retain the flour goldpassing from the first through into the second compartment; but thisdivision of the settling-tank is not essential, as the spiralamalgamating-plate may be placed at one end of the tank in a cylindricalchamber, 0, opening into the tank at one end, and at its other havingthe pipe on connecting with the screen-cylinder tank attached to itsother end, as shown. Both arrangements of spiral amalgamating-platesmay, however, be used, if de sired; but when only one is used, that at Nat the entrance to the pipe leading to tank B is preferred, as it givesincreased settling-surface to tank M in advance of the passage of thewater over the spiral plate.

Directly over or on a higher plane than the settling-tank M is arrangeda feed-water tank, P, connected bya pipe, 1), either with the tank M orwith the sluice-pan, or both, the feed or flow of the water through saidpipe being controlled by means of a check or other suitable form ofvalve, g, which is connected with a float, Q, in the tank M, so arrangedthat whenever the water in the latter falls below the desired level thevalve (1 will be lifted or opened to allow the water to flow out throughpipe 12, and when the water again reaches the desired level the valvewill be closed. The water in the settlingtank, screen-cylinder tank, andsluice will thus be maintained at substantially a uniform level, and allwaste from absorption, evaporation, or other cause compensated forautomatically. The tank P or its equivalent may be kept supplied in anysuitable manner.

The several shafts named are geared to the main drivingshaft O, asshown, or in any suitable manner, and may be geared thereto, to beoperated at any desired speed.

It will be seen that when in operation the pulverized earth or slime inthe screen-cylinder tank will be continuously raised and carried up andout of the latter by the action of the buckets on the screen-cylinder,and that in this operation a good deal of water, where water is used,will be carried with the earth and deposited upon the concave, andthence carried into the sluice-pan, and the water in the latter, beingthus raised above its normal level,wil1 flow thence through the pipe minto the settling-tank, from which the screen-cylinder tank takes itssupply. In this move ment of the water the lighter particles, or what istermed the flour or float gold, will be caught and held by the spiralamalgamating plate or plates in the passage of the water through theircontaining-tubes, and may be thence removed at suitable intervals.

The operation of the other devices will be readily understood. Whenwater is not used, the settling and supply water-tanks will not beneeded, and the placer-earth will be run dry through the screen cylindercasing, thence to the concave grindingcylinder and sluicepan, and willbe operated upon in the same manner by said parts as in using them withwater.

In using the machine dry or without water, the flour gold of course willbe lost, as that can be saved only by the use of the settlingtank withits water-ways and spiral amalgamating-plates, but the material will beotherwise acted upon and agitated the same as when the water is used,and in such agitation, the gold being heavier than the other materialpassing over the sluice pan, the particles thereof will gradually settleto and lodge upon the corrugated bottom of said pan, from which it canbe removed at suitable intervals, while the other material will begradually discharged from the sluice by the action of the scrapers.

Having now described my invention, I claim as new 1. In a machine forseparating gold, the screen cylinder provided with the hollow trunnions,the outer right and left spiral flanges or threads, and centraldischargingbuekets, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the screen-cylinder tank or casing and thescreen-cylinder provided with its discharging-buckets, of the concavereceiving apron provided wth its springs, and the grinding wheel orcylinder operating in connection therewith, substantially as described.

3. The swinging links and sluice-pan suspended thereon, in combinationwith the cranks and connecting-rods for giving to said pan both alongitudinal and a lateral reciprocating movement, substantially asdescribed.

4. The herein-described gold-separating ma chine, comprising theinclined vibrating sluicepan, the grinding concave receiving-apron, thegrinding-cylinder, and the internlittinglyacting scrapers, arranged andoperating sub stantially as described.

5. The combination, with the sluice-pan, of the reciprocating scraperbars or beams, and the scraper having a spring-connection therewith,substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the scraper-bars, of the scrapers adapted toyield relatively to said bars, and means, substantially as described,for adjusting the scrapers.

7. The combination, with the sluice-pan, of the reciprocatingscraper-bars, the side rails for said bars, and the tramways for liftingthe scraper-bars in their backward or return movement, substantially asdescribed.

8. The combination of the screen-cylinder tank, the sluice-pan, and thesettling-tank, and pipes connecting said tanks and pan, substantially asdescribed.

9. The combination of the vibrating sluicepan, the settling-tank, andthe flexible pipe or tube interposed between said pan and tank,substantially as described.

10. A gold-separating machine comprising the screen-cylinder tank, thevibrating sluicepan, the connecting concave or apron connect ing saidtank or pan, and the scrapers operating in the vibrating sluice-pan,substantially as described. I

11. The combination, in an apparatus for separating gold, of thescreen-cylinder tank and sluice-pan, the settling-tank connected threwith, a tubular water-way connected with said tank, and a spiralamalgamatingplate arranged within said way, substantially as de scribed.

12. The combination, in an apparatus for separating gold, of thescreen-cylinder tank,

the sluicepan, and the settling-tank connected therewith and providedwith a central partition, a tubular water-way penetrating saidpartition, and a spiral amalgamatingplate arranged in said water-way,substantially as described.

13. The combination, in a machine for separating gold, of thesettling-tank, a supply JAMES E. VVESTLAKE.

\Vitnesses:

REX. SMITH, GEO. K. RUNDEL.

